Brann have sold defender Denzel De Roeve to Belgian top club Union Saint-Gilloise. The 22-year-old right-back leaves the club after a year and a half in Bergen, according to a report from NRK Sport this week.
De Roeve joined Brann from Club Brugge ahead of the 2025 season and quickly established himself as an important player. In his first Eliteserien season, he played 49 matches, scoring four goals and providing three assists. This year, he has registered one goal and two assists in twelve appearances before the transfer was completed.
What does the sale mean for Brann's defence?
The sale of a regular first-team defender comes as Brann sit sixth in the Eliteserien with 25 points. The team has played 17 games and has a positive goal difference of 9, having scored 36 and conceded 27. Their last five matches show mixed form with three wins and two losses.
Manager Eirik Horneland must now find a solution for the right-back position before the next match against Lillestrøm on September 5th. Brann are coming off a 3-2 win over Rosenborg earlier in August, but also have several absences to manage. The injury list notes Jonas Torsvik, Rabbi Matondo, Sakarias Opsahl and Sævar Atli Magnússon as sidelined.
Why did De Roeve choose Union Saint-Gilloise?
Union Saint-Gilloise is an established top club in Belgium currently in seventh place after two league rounds. The club has been a consistent top performer in recent seasons and secured a Europa League place after being eliminated from Champions League qualification by Bodø/Glimt. It represents a step up for the young Belgian.
"It was a really big step for me early in my career, and I can look back on the happiest time of my life in football," Denzel De Roeve told NRK Sport about his time at Brann.
How does this affect Brann's season goals?
Brann are 16 points behind league leaders Bodø/Glimt, making it difficult to catch the top team. The goal for the rest of the season will likely be to secure a place in the top half and possibly European qualification. Losing an offensively creative full-back requires other players to take more responsibility.
The club's squad overview shows there are alternatives, but none with exactly the same profile as De Roeve. The transfer window is now closed, so any replacements must come from within. The team's stats page will track how the defensive play develops without him.
What is Brann's next step?
Immediate focus is on the home match against Lillestrøm, who themselves are fifth in the table. It will be an important game to keep pace with the top. A win would provide a vital boost following the player's departure.
Brann's management now has financial resources available from the sale but cannot use them on new players until the next window. They must therefore work with what they have to maintain a competitive team. You can follow the team's continued path on our fixtures page.
